Job Descriptions/Specifications

East Tennessee State University

The Importance of Job Descriptions

The Office of Human Resources maintains job descriptions for all clerical/support and administrative/professional positions defined in ETSU's Compensation Plan Guidelines. Accurate job descriptions are important to both employees and supervisors. The availability and use of job descriptions may include:

helping employees on all levels acquire greater understanding of their present positions;

reassigning and fixing functions and responsibilities in the entire organization;

evaluating job performance by comparison between what the employee does, and what the job description says he/she should do;

serving as an introduction for new employees to their positions;

assisting in hiring and placing employees in the positions for which they are best suited;

setting forth lines of promotion within all departments and at all levels;

assisting in forecasting training needs for a particular function;

improving work flow;

reviewing the existing practices at all levels;

and, serving as a guide to making decisions concerning transfers.

Job descriptions should be updated on a regular basis to avoid inaccuracies. Supervisors should review the accuracy of job descriptions during an employee's annual employee performance appraisal, before the advertisement of a vacant position, and whenever departmental changes affect the distribution of office duties and responsibilities. Revisions to written job descriptions must be reviewed with the current incumbent to assure the employee's acknowledgement and understanding of the changes and current job expectations.

To update job descriptions for both clerical/support and administrative/professional positions, supervisors should complete a new position classification questionnaire (available at http://www.etsu.edu/humanres/forms/forms.htm) and/or contact the Office of Human Resources, extension 9-5890, for further assistance.

A change in a position's duties and responsibilities does not necessarily dictate a change in the position's pay level. Often the same skills, knowledge, and level of responsibility exist. However, if you feel a job audit is warranted, please see ETSU's Compensation Plan Guidelines for the procedures used to request a job audit.


Back to ETSU Home	Back to ETSU Human Resources Page